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Here is an idea to get you started with English study this year. The topic Looking back, looking forward, can be a writing or speaking activity.
If one of your goals for this year is to improve your writing think of five good things that happened last year and five things that you think will happen (or that you want to happen) this year and make a note of them. Each day this week write a short paragraph about one thing from last year and one thing from this year. Ask your teacher or study partner to review what you have written so that you can correct any mistakes.
This exercise will help you use vocabulary for personal events or activities and it will help you practice past tenses, future tenses and conditional tenses.
If you want to improve your speaking, this topic can be a great conversation starter either in class, or with English speaking friends and colleagues.
I hope you have fun with this topic and best wishes for the new year!
Looking back, looking forward: A simple New Year lesson plan
Weekly Topic:
Looking back, looking forward: A simple New Year lesson plan
Jenni Wain
Jan 5, 2026
This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.
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Language Fluency
| English | Native |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Proficient |
| Japanese | Just a few words |
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